The son of jazz cellist Abdul Wadud, Maryland-based R&B vocalist Raheem DeVaughn kicked his career into gear after initiating a series of independent releases, aided in part by the cash reward earned from winning a talent contest. Jive became interested, signed him, and released The Love Experience in June of 2005. The album peaked within the Top 50 of the Billboard 200 album chart, with the singles "You" and "Guess Who Loves You More" regularly spun on some of the more adventurous R&B stations across the U.S. Love Behind the Melody followed in January 2008. Its first single, "Woman," was his biggest hit yet and was nominated for a 2008 Grammy in the category of Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. A year later, "Customer" was nominated for Best R&B song. Led by the late-2009 single "Bulletproof," featuring Ludacris, DeVaughn's The Love and War MasterPeace was scheduled for release in March 2010.-Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

Raheem DeVaughn is back with his third album The Love & War MasterPeace. On the heels of his 2008 Grammy nominated release Love Behind The Melody, The Love & War MasterPeace is a tale of two tales through love and war. The Love & War MasterPeace's lead single "Bulletproof" featuring Ludacris takes us on a journey through today's social and political issues reminiscent of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", while the Ne-Yo produced "I Don't Care" touches on the importance of a strong relationship. With Raheem's distinctive style and exceptional production, The Love & War MasterPeace is sure to satisfy his fans while making room for newcomers. The Love & War MasterPeace solidifies Raheem DeVaughn as true vocalist and an infectious songwriter, recording music to stand the test of times.

Album Notes and Credits

Notes & Personnel Info

Photographer: Randee St. Nicholas.

Emboldened by Love Behind the Melody's crossover success, involving a Top Ten spot on the Billboard 200, a BET Award and two Grammy nominations, Raheem DeVaughn grants his third album a title that sounds (but does not necessarily look) arrogant. Despite the wordplay, DeVaughn did not mess around when it came to recording a set befitting a title as grand as The Love & War MasterPeace. There are plenty of love songs, naturally, and most of them are imaginative and excellent. Even when they slip into clever foolishness, as on "B.O.B." -- in which the protagonist testifies the many reasons why he would be preferable to a specific device -- they are strong in construction, much more about honoring the woman than the man's prowess, and DeVaughn's easy falsetto never sounds self-satisfied. On the socially conscious material, DeVaughn really lays into it all with a dedicated force that is potent musically and lyrically. Subtract Dr. Cornel West's recurring spots as hype man-slash-mood enhancer, and the album would still remain one of the most grippingly conscious major-label R&B albums of the last 30 years, featuring the Curtis Mayfield-channeling (and sampling) "Bulletproof," an alluringly morose opener, and the startling 13 minutes that make up the closers "Nobody Wins a War" (despite involving the input of nearly a dozen of DeVaughn's contemporaries, it is no wreck) and "Revelations 2010" (assisted by Damian Marley and a chorus of "They're out to bury me, they're out to bury you/And all you can do is arm yourself"). An expanded version adds over 45 minutes to the program, making the album clock in at nearly two hours. DeVaughn stretches out on the meditative "Soldier Story," inspired by a friend who returned from Iraq without legs, and "Lose Control," an 11-minute robo-funk workout. Most of these songs -- especially "Wing and a Prayer," featuring UGK's Bun B and a spine-tingling chorus -- should not be considered merely bonus content. ~ Andy Kellman

Musical Guests

Ludacris

Malik Yusef

Chico DeBarge

Citizen Cope

Chrisette Michele

Dwele

Jill Scott

Shelby Johnson

Ledisi

Anthony Hamilton

Rudy Currence

Bilal

Damian Marley

Artist Overview

Neo-soul artist Raheem DeVaughn was raised in a musical family (his father is jazz bassist Abdul Wadud) and cut his chops as a songwriter and singer in the Washington, D.C., area. DeVaughn's mellow, soulful sound, which borrows from classic soul artists like Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder, caught the ear of Jive Records, which issued his debut, THE LOVE EXPERIENCE, in 2005. The debut did well on the strength of the singles "You" and "Guess Who Loves You More," which set the stage for 2008's LOVE BEHIND THE MELODY. The single "Woman" was nominated for a Grammy (for Best Male R&B Performance) in 2008.

Technical Info

Release Date : 03/02/2010

Original Release Date : 2010

Catalog ID : 55959

Label : 1228/Jive/Zomba

Number of Discs : 1

SPAR Code : n/a

UPC : 00886975595921

Bio

"Raheem DeVaughn

The son of jazz cellist Abdul Wadud, Maryland-based R&B vocalist Raheem DeVaughn kicked his career into gear after initiating a series of independent releases, aided in part by the cash reward earned from winning a talent contest. Jive became interested, signed him, and released The Love Experience in June of 2005. The album peaked within the Top 50 of the Billboard 200 album chart, with the singles ""You"" and ""Guess Who Loves You More"" regularly spun on some of the more adventurous R&B stations across the U.S. Love Behind the Melody followed in January 2008. Its first single, ""Woman,"" was his biggest hit yet and was nominated for a 2008 Grammy in the category of Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. A year later, ""Customer"" was nominated for Best R&B song. Led by the late-2009 single ""Bulletproof,"" featuring Ludacris, DeVaughn's The Love and War MasterPeace was scheduled for release in March 2010.-Andy Kellman, All Music Guide"